Northern Rambler

Sunderland Bridge to Hett Circular   Parking: Sunderland Bridge (the actual bridge, not the village) Duration: 2 ½ hrs Distance: 4 ½ miles Difficulty: Leisurely   Overview: This walk takes in woodland, riverside, farmland and village. There are several places of interest along the way, not least the bridge from which the walk begins. Sunderland Bridge – which crosses the River Wear – dates back to the 14 th century and offers a splendid vantage point from which to admire the river and its wildlife. The area surrounding the bridge was not always as tranquil as it appears now. It was near here that a clash took place in 1346 between the forces of King David II of Scotland and the English forces of the Archbishop of York and the Bishops of Durham. This battle was just a prelude to the main clash which took place at Neville's Cross in Durham, where the English forces claimed a resounding victory. There is a story that during the battle, the Durham Prior and his mo...

I am an outdoor enthusiast. I love hiking, cycling and just being out in nature. I am currently undertaking my PhD in philosophy at Lancaster University -  though I spend the holiday period in the County Durham town of Spennymoor, where I grew up. Going off to university broadened my horizons and introduced me to beautiful new landscapes, such as the nearby vastness of the Forest of Bowland and the golden sands of Morecambe Bay. It also placed me within closer proximity to the Lake District, where I have holidayed for many years, and whose mountains and fells shaped my love of the outdoors more than any other place. But I also gradually lost sight of the beauty to be found in my own area, much of which I had - and have - yet to explore. Since the coronavirus lockdown brought an abrupt and premature end to the penultimate year of my PhD, I have spent a lot of time reconnecting with the landscape of the North East, from the very local areas surrounding my home town, to the wider regi...